Maxx

Crosby

Crosby is not going to like this. Hours ago, after the team ruled Crosby out for Week 17, FOX’s Jay Glazer reported that Crosby, disgruntled, had “left the building,” calling into question “his future in Vegas.” It seems likely that the decision to shut Crosby down, ostensibly for Week 18 as well, will be formalized with a move to injured reserve. Crosby leads the team with 53 quarterback pressures and 10 sacks.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that Crosby has been playing through his knee injury since October, and the Raiders made this decision “with Crosby’s best interest in mind.” The star pass rusher “has been fighting to play and wants to play.” The Raiders shut down TE Brock Bowers, who played through much of this season with a PCL sprain in his knee, placing him on injured reserve earlier this week. FOX’s Jay Glazer reports that this “could lead to questions on his future in Vegas.” Crosby has one year remaining on his contract.

Crosby has been playing through the knee issue for a while. A DNP for the first practice of the week is nothing new for him. Even with the Raiders fighting for the No. 1 overall pick on Sunday, we fully expect Crosby to suit up. Crosby has 10 sacks, two forced fumbles, and one interception this year.

Crosby, as usual, will be Las Vegas’ main defensive weapon against the Texans. IDP leaguers should note that he stands a good chance of wrecking shop against a weak Texans offensive line. Crosby continues to be given days off ahead of games as this going-nowhere season winds down for the Raiders.

Crosby will likely continue playing through the pain this week. He has 10 sacks this year, and he is the only Raiders defender to log more than three. Although he will make his presence felt against the Texans, he cannot stop an offense on his own.

Crosby has been playing through the knee issue for a while. We don’t expect this week to be any different at this time. The star defender has 10 sacks, two forced fumbles, and an interception this season.

Mayer has been sidelined since injuring his ankle in Week 12 against the Browns. Raiders head coach Pete Carroll said he expects rookie WR Jack Bech to be more involved with Thornton, a fellow rookie, sidelined this week. Thornton has caught just 8-of-25 targets for 123 yards this season, though, so his absence in the passing game is hardly significant. Bech should not be started against the Broncos’ elite defense. Raiders EDGE Maxx Crosby (knee) is active, as expected.

Crosby has not practiced in either of the last two sessions of the week and will likely get a questionable tag when the report drops later. As Vegas’ best (only?) good defensive player at this point, Crosby being ruled out would be big fantasy news for the Broncos’ prospects in Week 14.

Crosby was limited on Wednesday with a knee injury — it’s not his first rodeo on the knee listing this season. He’s probably not in much danger of missing Sunday’s game against the Broncos just yet, as he’s been something of an iron man outside of last season, but it is something we’ll be monitoring on Friday.

Crosby practiced fully on Friday, restoring faith in the Raiders D/ST unit. Browns rookie QB Shedeur Sanders will make his first career start and Crosby and Co. this weekend. Sanders notched a 20.0 percent pressure-to-sack rate on 21 dropbacks in Week 11.